Republic
RF-84F Thunderflash in Detail

n by Frank Spahr

Part III

In the first and second parts of this series devoted to Hermeskeil
aircraft museum in Germany, we looked at two massive fighters: English Electric Lightning
F.2A and a North American F-100F Super Sabre. A closer look at the Republic RF-84F will
conclude the series.

The Origin of RF-84F

The F-84 Thunderjet was America´s first major postwar fighter with its maiden flight
in 1946, still with straight wings. Over 4,400 F-84s were produced until 1953, many of
them being exported. It was extensively used in Korea in the low-level interdiction role.
Armament was six 12.7mm guns plus eight 5-inch rockets or up to 2,000 lbs. ordnance. Later
versions were able to carry a tactical atomic weapon.

The F-84F Thunderstreak with swept wings and a stronger engine (7,200 lbs. thrust as
compared to 4,900 lbs. of the F-84) was developed in 1950 and began to replace the F-84
during 1954. It featured much improved performance in top speed, service ceiling and
payload. 2,711 Thunderstreaks were built. In the late fifties these were replaced by
the F-100.

The museum owns a reconnaissance version of the F-84, the RF-84F
Thunderflash.

The developing need for a high speed state of the art photo reconnaissance
platform and the evolving conflict in Korea led the US Air Force to begin studying various
options for the dedicated reconnaissance aircraft in the late fourties. Republic was quick
to present a proposal calling for a reconnaissance version of the F-84F. The first
prototype, the YRF-84F made its maiden flight during the first week of February 1952, thus
being the first modern jet specifically designed for photo-reconnaissance

Using the plane in the new role necessitated a major redesign: On the one hand, the
plane´s nose had to be enlarged to allow mounting a varying array of cameras and
electronic equipment, on the other the air intakes had to be repositioned from the nose to
the wing roots. The pilot doubled as cameraman, so he was equipped with a viewfinder and
camera control gear.

The primary use of the aircraft was tactical reconnaissance, including
target assessment and coverage of bomber missions. One of the most notable accomplishments
of the RF-84F was its use in the Fighter Conveyer (FICON) project, in which it was adapted
for carriage by a B-36 Bomber. The FICON project was intended to stretch the range of the
Thunderflash. Modifications comprised a retractable hook in the nose to contact the B-36
trapeze extended from the bomb bay. Only 25 RF-84F's received this modification.

A total of 715 specimen were built.

The only RF-84F kit that I've heard about is an old 1/72 Italeri offering... but
perhaps someone would like to build a conversion in other scales?

Republic RF-84F Thunderflash
in Detail

The aircraft on display was used by the
Bundesluftwaffe.
The plane´s very dull finish is noteworthy.

Photo: Frank Spahr

The profile of the new longer nose can be seen
here. The lower surfaces of the nose were flat-sided to allow for the installation of
camera windows.

Photo: Frank Spahr

Mounts for half of the aircraft's camera equipment
can be seen here.
Shown is the lower starboard side of the nose.

Photo: Frank Spahr

Details of the cockpit hood and fairing.
Also visible is the starboard jet engine intake.

Photo: Frank Spahr

Another shot of the canopy reveals a shape of the
windscreen.

Note that the removable panels in front of the
cockpit are equipped with handles

Photo: Frank Spahr

The mid-fuselage section below the rear cockpit
fairing features a multitude of hatches and appropriate stancils.

Just visible to the extreme left is the preforated
air brake.

The red line indicates the structural division of
the fuselage behind the wing.

Photo: Frank Spahr

Front undercarriage leg.

Photo: Frank Spahr

The aircraft's tail configuration.

Visible in the front are the two wing fences.

Photo: Frank Spahr

n

This page:
Has been last updated:
The URL of the page is:
Downloaded at:

Terms of use:
This site is an interactive community of enthusiasts interested in
the art of scale modelling of aircraft, armor, figures, spacecraft
and similar subjetcs. All material within this site is protected under
copyright, and may only be reproduced for personal use. You
must contact the Author(s) and/or
Editor for permission to use any material on this site
for any purpose other than private use.